Soluble tetrahedral compounds for use in electroluminescent devices

Abstract

Electroluminescent compounds, devices and methods for making the foregoing are disclosed, which employ a novel topological strategy for designing amorphous molecular solids suitable for forming thin films in optoelectronic devices. In this approach chromophores are attached to a tetrahdral point of convergence.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A tetrahedral compound having formula (I),                    
       wherein TS is a tetrahedral junction unit selected from the group consisting of tetraphenylsilane, an sp 3  hybridized silicon atom, tetraphenyladamantane, adamantane and cubane; and R1, R2, R3 and R4 are optoelectronic arms, wherein each optoelectronic arm is a linear oligomer, polymer or copolymer.  
     
     
       2. The tetrahedral compound of  claim 1  wherein each optoelectronic arm is a semiconducting oligomer, polymer or copolymer. 
     
     
       3. The tetrahedral compound of  claim 1 , each optoelectronic arm comprising a stilbenoid chromophore. 
     
     
       4. The tetrahedral compound of  claim 1  wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are optoelectronic arms corresponding to general formula II:                    
       wherein R is hydrogen; R′ is alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aryloxy, cyano, halide or amino; and n is an integer from 2 to 100.  
     
     
       5. A tetrahedral compound having formula (I),                    
       wherein TS is a tetrahedral junction unit selected from the group consisting of tetraphenylsilane, an sp 3  hybridized silicon atom, tetraphenyladamantane, adamantane and cubane; and R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each optoelectronic arms corresponding to general formula II:                    
       wherein R is hydrogen; R′ is alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aryloxy, cyano, halide, or amino; and n is an integer from 2 to 100.  
     
     
       6. A composition comprising a tetrahedral compound according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       7. A composition according to  claim 6  further comprising an electron or hole transport agent. 
     
     
       8. A thin-film electronic device comprising the tetrahedral compound of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A thin film electronic device comprising the composition of  claim 7 . 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 8  comprising at least two layers selected from the group consisting of an electroluminescent layer, an electron transport layer, and a hole transport layer, wherein at least one of said electroluminescent layer, said electron transport layer, or said hole transport layer comprises the tetrahedral compound.